The purpose of the Otterhound Reproduction Bank is to collect, store and distribute reproductive material (currently frozen semen) from Otterhounds, an endangered dog breed. Education on the continuation of the breed will be incorporated into this website as the Bank continues to function as a source of reproductive material for breeders in the future.

Reproduction Bank at a GlanceHow does this bank work?The Bank accepts deposits of semen from purebred Otterhounds, and owners of bitches who qualify can withdraw the semen of their choice for a mating.Can any male donate?Yes any purebred Otterhound can donate semen except Otterhounds who have seizures or are cryptorchid. Non-seizing offspring or siblings of seizing Otterhounds can donate, but their semen will be held in reserve for 10 years to be sure they do not have seizures. Then it will be available for use.There will be a full disclosure about the dog’s health history for the owner of the bitch in bank records which will be available online.Are there any requirements?Males and females using the Bank need to have a CHIC number. Each needs to be tested for Glanzmann’s, have hip x-rays (possible at age 24 months) and blood submitted to the University of Missouri. Results of the Glanzmann’s and hip x-rays must be made public.If the dog is too young for a hip x-ray, we will still be happy to collect him and wait for your report to be published on the OFA website. Females also need a CHIC number and need to have had a litter before using frozen semen.Any exceptions?We will accept semen from deceased dogs whose sperm was frozen before CHIC was established. And we will accept semen from dogs that are too young to have their hips evaluated by OFA. However, we will not keep semen after a certain amount of time if they do not have their required health testing.Owners of the dog will be reminded before any semen is destroyed.Who decides which semen goes to which bitch?The owner of the bitch does. The owner of a bitch who meets the requirements to use the Bank may select the semen of any male on the available list.Further information on this isavailable on our website: https://www.ohca-reprobank.org/Will the Bank be in conflict with stud owners?No. No dog’s semen will be released from the Bank until there is no more semen available from that dog from other sources. If the dog has died or is sterile and the owner no longer has any privately owned semen, the semen will be available from the Bank.Can the puppies sired by frozen semen owned by the bank be registered with the AKC?​Yes. The AKC has approved the Ownership of Semen by the Reproduction Bank, (a non-profit organization).

What's the Worry?

Otterhounds have been mentioned in history since the 1200's but the narrowing of the gene pool has resulted in less genetic material to help the breed survive and thrive. The Otterhound Club of America under the leadership of Elizabeth Conway had the forethought to approach the American Kennel Club for permission to establish a Reproduction Bank to collect and store genetic materials.​

OHCA Reproduction Bank Board of Directors

Joellen Gregory, DVM
President

Linda Schrader
Vice President

Eibhlin Glennon
Secretary

Becky Van Houten
Treasurer

Kathy Munger
Director

For more information about the Otterhound Breed please refer to the following websites: